Chapter 120
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Yolanda watched Ian drive off before heading back inside to change into a professional outfit. She then drove herself to Starlight Entertainment.
She had done her research on the company. Starlight Entertainment had a dozen or so executives, most of whom owed their position to family connections. The place was infamous for squeezing every last drop out of their talent, and its reputation in the entertainment world was practically toxic.
Their talents were all at the perfect age to shine, yet many were stuck in contracts lasting ten, sometimes even
twenty years.
‘All that youth and potential, just drained away here,‘ Yolanda thought to herself, feeling a flash of pity.
And if any of the talents happened to be especially good–looking, they’d be pushed to attend events and drink with business partners–like they were nothing more than eye candy.
Yolanda’s mission was clear–she was here to shake things up and overhaul the entire system.
Just as Yolanda pulled up outside Starlight Entertainment, her screen lit up with a message from Ian.
[Got hurt.]
He’d attached a photo of his calf–there was a fresh scratch along it, probably where he’d scraped it on something.
It had been two days since they’d returned to Beloris, and Ian hadn’t reached out once. He was still clearly
upset.
But now, here he was, sending her a message. He wanted to make
- up.
‘That little puppy always overthinks everything,‘ Yolanda thought to herself with a fond smile.
Yolanda was in a good mood and perfectly willing to comfort him, so she picked up her phone and gave lan a
call.
“How did you get hurt?” Yolanda asked gently, her voice full of concern.
“Oh, just scratched my leg while filming. It’s no big deal,” Ian replied, making it sound like nothing had happened at all.
But even though Jan said he was fine, Yolanda knew he actually wanted her to come check up on him.
She glanced at the Starlight Entertainment building right in front of her, figuring, ‘It won’t hurt to put this off for a bit–no rush‘
With a smile, Yolanda asked, “When do you think you’ll be done filming today?”
“No idea. It’s gonna be late–might even have to pull an all–nighter. Raelyn got kicked off the project. She’s seriously injured, and the hospital says she won’t be out for at least two months. Ms. Sinclair couldn’t wait, so
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she replaced the lead actress. Now I have to reshoot some scenes,” Ian explained, his voice sounding tired.
Yolanda raised an eyebrow. ‘Looks like Cedric didn’t hold back at all, she thought.
She wasn’t going to feel guilty about it–if she hadn’t made the first move, Raelyn would’ve set Cedric on her and lan, and neither of them would’ve made it out alive.
‘I don’t mess with anyone unless they mess with me first,‘ Yolanda told herself.
“Sounds like you’ve got a lot going on. Will you have time for a birthday celebration after midnight? I got you something,” Yolanda said, her voice warm and teasing.
Even though Ian wasn’t in front of her, Yolanda could practically see his ears perk up and his tail start wagging.
He was silent for a few seconds before finally asking, his voice barely above a whisper, “You know my birthday?”
“Huh? Shouldn’t I know? You’re my talent, after all. All your info is right there in your file,” Yolanda replied breezily.
His throat went dry and his voice came out hoarse. “Ms. Grant… are you saying this just to mess with me?”
He knew she was teasing him on purpose, just to throw his heart into chaos.
Yolanda smiled, sneaking a look at the clock. “Honestly, I was gonna report in at Starlight Entertainment today, but those execs are probably itching to pull some power moves on me. No harm letting them stew a little longer. How about I come by your place first, slip into something more chill, and then head over to find you?”
This outfit’s way too stiff for the set–I’d totally stick out.
Besides, whenever she hung out with Ian, she always played it cool, keeping it casual with a hat and mask to dodge the spotlight.
Ian’s voice came out hoarse. “Okay.”
Yolanda didn’t even hesitate–she swung her car around, hit up the mall for some everyday outfits, and made a quick stop at Ian’s place to slip into something comfortable. She grabbed a whole stack of hats and masks too–some went straight into her car for emergencies, while the rest she tucked away in the guest room at the villa.
While she was chilling at the villa, Yolanda didn’t just sit around–she gave Blake a call.
Blake’s voice came through, that signature lazy, street–smart tone of his. “Charles is back, so me and her gotta keep it on the down low. But I think the plan went through.”
Yolanda nodded, even though Blake couldn’t see it. “Stick close to her for now. Don’t draw too much attention.”
Blake took a drag from his cigarette. “When do I get paid the rest?”
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“Once the morning sickness kicks in and the Sinclair family finds out, you grab the cash and disappear,” Yolanda said coolly.
“Sounds good,” Blake replied, casual as ever.
No fuss, no drama–Blake was straight–up, and so was Yolanda.
Feeling a little more at ease, Yolanda’s phone buzzed with a few messages from Vivian.
There were a few haunting pictures attached, along with a nasty threat.
[Bitch, you won’t make it to the end of the month.]
Yolanda took screenshots of the threatening messages and sent them to Charles.
[Honey, can I stay home?]
Her message sounded meek and desperate.
Charles’s expression darkened as he scrolled through the screenshots. His fingers drummed lightly on the desk, lost in thought.
He knew exactly what Vivian was like—she’d pulled stunts like this before to mess with Yolanda, only Yolanda had never bothered to complain until now.
Now she was reaching out, definitely scared. After that slap and having her earring yanked out, it was only natural she’d still be jumpy.
‘Guess my advice finally worked–she’s actually asking for help now,‘ Charles thought, a hint of amusement in his mind. ‘And her message sounded so meek and kinda adorable, too.‘
Jack, standing nearby, caught a glimpse of the message too.
“CEO, Vivian can be pretty extreme. If she gets Grady to make a move…” Jack said, letting the implication hang in the air.
If Grady got involved, Yolanda would be in for it.
Charles grabbed the contract and signed his name with a flourish. “Let’s get Grady booted out of the country. If I remember right, he’s not even a Solvarian citizen anymore.”
That was Grady’s Achilles‘ heel–he didn’t have Solvarian citizenship. If he messed up here, he’d be sent packing for good, banned from stepping foot in Solvaria for life.
Charles leaned back, the hint of a grin on his face. “Find out Grady’s recent stomping grounds and get me a meeting with some government folks.”
Jack knew Charles was about to make his move.
It really looked like the CEO actually cared about his wife.
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Without wasting a second, Jack got to work making the arrangements.
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Meanwhile, Vivian gave her uncle Grady an ultimatum: Yolanda needed to be dealt with permanently–no mercy, no second chances.
Vivian was Grady’s favorite, so he’d bend over backwards to satisfy her. He blamed his own carelessness for letting Yolanda survive last time, and this time, he was determined to make sure nothing was left to chance. He’d reserved a private room at an upscale restaurant for himself and his team–never imagining Charles would show up right there.
Grady’s expression soured, but he slapped on a fake smile. “Mr. Sinclair, long time no see.”
His gaze shifted to Charles’s companion. “Who’s your friend?”
The man gave a polite nod, introducing himself with quiet confidence.
Grady frowned, feeling instantly annoyed–he never got along with government guys, and he definitely wasn’t happy to see one tagging along. With a cold scoff, he brushed past them and strode forward, making it clear he wasn’t interested in making small talk.
As a waiter walked by carrying a tray, it suddenly tipped, sending hot soup splashing all over Grady.
Grady’s face darkened, a vein throbbing at his temple. “Are you looking for trouble?!”
As he lifted his arm in anger, a gun slipped from beneath his jacket and hit the floor with a loud clatter, drawing everyone’s startled gazes.
Gasps and screams erupted around them; someone quickly called the police.
Grady was stunned. He hadn’t brought a gun today–no way that was his.
But the moment the waitress caught sight of the gun, she shrieked in terror–before she knew it, the tray slipped from her hands and crashed onto the floor.
Grady was already losing his patience, and her scream pushed him over the edge. “Shut the fuck up!”
The waitress fell to her knees, sobbing. “Please, don’t kill me! I’m begging you!”
Grady was shaking all over, practically ready to blow–he looked like he could snap and fire off a shot right then and there.
Charles observed the chaos from a distance, a trace of amusement glinting in his eyes as he glanced over at the man beside him.
The man was drenched in sweat, his lips drained of color, frozen in fear.
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Chapter 121
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
Part 1: The Discovery of BetrayalYolanda Grant’s marriage was built on patience, sacrifice, and quiet endurance — but that illusion shattered in one night. It was late when she arrived at a dark, empty alley after receiving a mysterious message with an address. At first, she thought it was a misunderstanding. After all, her husband Charles Sinclair — a man of wealth, power, and refined taste — would never lower himself to something so vulgar. But when she saw him holding a young woman in his arms, kissing and touching her like a man possessed, every ounce of denial drained from her. Charles, the proud and disciplined businessman, was cheating — and in a filthy alleyway, no less.Part 2: The Scene of HumiliationFrom the safety of her car, Yolanda watched as the scene unfolded. The woman clinging to Charles was frail, trembling, and emotional, like a flower blooming in the mud. The surroundings — the stained floor, damp walls, and suffocating darkness — mocked everything Charles had always claimed to be. This wasn’t just infidelity; it was degradation. Yolanda’s mind swirled with disbelief. Her husband, who obsessed over class and perfection, had become a man of impulse and dirt. She didn’t confront him or make a scene; she didn’t even cry. Instead, she leaned back in her seat, numb, realizing that her marriage was already over in spirit.Part 3: Two Years of DevotionAs she sat there, flashes of the past flooded her mind. Two years of marriage — two years of her trying to please him in every way. She had known from the start that Charles didn’t love her. On their wedding day, he had made it painfully clear that his heart already belonged to another woman. Still, Yolanda married him out of hope, out of love, out of the foolish belief that devotion could melt even the coldest heart. She gave up her career, her ambitions, and her independence, just to prove she was worthy of him. She cared for him like a nurse for her patient — cooking his meals, planning his wardrobe, and tending to every detail of his life. And in return, she got nothing but distance and silence.Part 4: The Breaking PointNow, watching him entwined with another woman, everything she had built inside her — the patience, the sacrifice, the illusion — collapsed. The man she had once called her husband had become unrecognizable. He had torn off his noble mask and revealed himself as nothing more than a beast driven by desire. Yolanda felt like she’d been slapped, her dignity shattered into pieces. But instead of screaming or crying, she felt an eerie calm. Her pain was too deep to express. All she could think was: This marriage must end.Part 5: Charles’s UneaseWhile Yolanda drove home, Charles suddenly sensed that something was wrong. The headlights of a passing car illuminated his face, and a chill ran down his spine. He didn’t know whose car it was, but unease stirred in his chest. The girl in his arms whimpered for his attention, but his mind was already elsewhere. Straightening his clothes, he pulled away coldly. “That’s enough for tonight,” he said flatly. “The company’s got big projects. I can’t afford divorce rumors right now.” His words revealed not love, but calculation — every move guided by image and control. The girl, blinded by her feelings, agreed softly, claiming she would wait. But to Charles, it was just another temporary indulgence.Part 6: The Return HomeWhen Yolanda returned home, the villa felt colder than ever. She had just come out of the shower when Charles entered the bedroom, carrying his jacket. He looked as immaculate as always — tall, handsome, commanding — but tonight, his arrogance seemed cruel. On his pristine white shirt, Yolanda noticed a faint smear of pink lip gloss. She had never worn lip gloss; she hated its stickiness. That small, shiny mark told her everything she needed to know. As she dried her hair, she kept her expression neutral, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing her pain.Part 7: The Cold ConversationCharles glanced at her and asked casually, “When did you get back?”“This afternoon,” she replied.He loosened his tie, unbuttoning his shirt as if nothing had happened. “I was out playing golf tonight,” he added. The lie rolled off his tongue effortlessly. Through the reflection in the window, Yolanda saw the dirt on his back — proof that golf wasn’t the only game he’d been playing. With quiet fury, she shot back, “Then I guess you scored plenty of holes. Congrats.”Her sarcasm caught him off guard. For the first time, he frowned, slightly unsettled. He wasn’t used to this tone from her — the woman who once worshiped him now sounded indifferent, almost mocking.Part 8: His Cruel ArroganceInstead of apologizing, Charles smirked and wrapped his arm around her waist. “Are you mad? I told you when we got married that I didn’t love you. If you’re that unhappy, find someone else to cheat with.” His words cut through her like a blade. It wasn’t just betrayal anymore — it was humiliation. He treated her heartbreak as an inconvenience, as if her pain were irrelevant. Inside, Yolanda’s chest felt like it was being strangled with wire, every breath searing. Yet she stayed silent. Her quietness, once a sign of love, now turned into armor.Part 9: The Memory of InnocenceIn that moment, Yolanda’s mind drifted back to when she first met Charles. She was young, freshly adopted into the Grant family, and he was already the picture of perfection — disciplined, confident, untouchable. Back then, she looked at him with admiration and love. To her, he was everything she aspired to be. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that this same man would someday make her feel worthless. All those years of love, of marriage, of giving — they now felt like a cruel joke.Part 10: A New Beginning Hidden in the Word “Fine”Charles chuckled when she finally said, “Fine.” To him, it was just another empty threat, another outburst that would fade with time. He kissed her cheek, confident that her love would keep her shackled to him forever. What he didn’t realize was that this time, “Fine” wasn’t surrender — it was goodbye. Behind her calm eyes, Yolanda had already made her decision. The love that once bound her had turned to ash, and from that ash, something new was forming — strength.Chapter 1 ends with Yolanda’s quiet determination to take back her life. She won’t cry or beg anymore. This time, she’ll walk away — not as a broken wife, but as a woman reborn through betrayal.
